Foldable rocking chair



1964 J. STABLE-FORD 3,15

FOLDABLE ROCKING CHAIR Filed June 4, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 N VEN TOR.

Jamv ZESl/E 57:45; a aeo Oct. 27, 1964 J. L. STABLEFORD FOLDABLE ROCKINGCHAIR 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 4, 1962 INVENTOR. OA/A/ A5506srqezfraea 27, 1964 J. 1.. STABLEFORD 3, 5

FOLDABLE ROCKING CHAIR Filed June 4, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 1964 J. 1..STABLEFORD 3,154,344

FOLDABLE aocxm; 0mm

Filed June 4, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VENTOR. Jay/v (662 Smalls/Mo Eng-United States Patent 3,154,344 FOLDABLE RSCKING CHAIR .Eohn LeslieStableford, 1 Stebbing St, London W. 11, England Filed June 4-, 1962,$81. No. 199,840 6 Claims. (Cl. 297-18) This invention relates tofurniture and more particularly to foldable rocking chairs.

In this specification and the claims appended thereto, the term chair isintended to include chairs generally, including deck chairs, gardenchairs or beach chairs and chaise lounges.

Rocking chairs may be classified within one of two general types, theorthodox type in which the rocking action is obtained by supporting thechair structure on curved rockers which roll on the ground as the chairrocks bodily, and the type in which the rocking action is produced bythe articulated structure of the chair, the positions of which arevaried in response to change in the position of the center of gravity ofthe user. This invention is concerned with chairs of the latter type.

Heretofore known chairs of the articulated or rockerless type havepossessed several disadvantages, including a relatively poor rockingaction, necessitating considerable effort on the part of the user and,usually, involving a discontinuous or jerky response to shifting of theusers center of gravity. Moreover, as a consequence of the rockingaction of such chairs, there usually results a bodily shifting of theground engaging parts of the chair, producing a phenomenon characterizedas walking which results in damage to the ground or other surface uponwhich the chair is supported. Such chairs are also quite bulky and donot readily fold or collapse to a convenient size or shape for transportor storage.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a foldablerocking chair of the rockerless type, which overcomes the aforesaiddisadvantages of known chair structures, provides a smooth rockingaction, does not walk and may readily be folded into a compact assembly.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a chair for useas an upright chair, which is light, simply constructed and providesrocking action through a predetermined are without instability of theresultant chair structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a chair for use as areclining chair or chaise lounge, preferably including elementsproviding form fitting supports for the users head, shoulders, thighsand legs.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will appear hereinafter.

In accordance with the invention, a chair is provided which comprises apair of generally rectilinearly shaped frame members, each of whichincludes spaced substan tially parallel leg elements, which elements liein intersecting planes when the chair is disposed in its operatingposition, and which frame members also include substantially parallelbase elements connecting the leg elements and contacting the floor,ground or other supporting surface of the chair across substantiallytheir entire lengths. A foldable base linkage is pivotally connected tothe base elements of the two frame members, the base linkage beingmaintained under tension when the chair is disposed in its operativeposition and facilitating independent rocking of the frame members aboutthe pivotal connections between the base linkage and the respective baseelements. An upper linkage is connected to the adjacent leg elements ofthe two frame members above the intersection of the planes definedthereby in the operating position, and front and rear stops are as- "icesociated with the pair of frame members for limiting the rockingmovement thereof within a predetermined arc. The base linkage, upperlinkage and frame members are so proportioned relative to the stopswhich limit the rocking arc of the chair, to permit folding of the chairto dispose the respective frame members in substantially co-planarrelationship with one frame at least partially disposed within theother.

The structure of this invention substantially eliminates the walkingproblem inherent in many prior art constructions, since the leg elementsof the frame members rock about their pivotal connections width the baselinkage, at a level approximating that of the ground or other supportingsurface. This construction minimizes the production of torque forces,which are produced between chair leg elements and bracing elementstherefor secured intermediate their lengths, which tend to exertleverage upon the chair support surface and dig into the same duringrocking. Moreover, the front and rear stops of the chair constructioncoact with the pair of frame members and bracing linkages therefor tolimit the rocking motion thereof, thus minimizing inherent dangers ofthe rocker construction, and guiding the relative motion of the framemembers when it is desired to fold the chair, thereby insuring simpleand eflicient folding of the chair when the upper ends of the framemembers are merely moved toward one another.

Pursuant to a further feature of the .present invention, the legelements of one or both of the frame members include portions which areslightly bent or offset with respect to one another, therebyfacilitating the movement of the leg elements relative to the front andrear stops during folding of the chair; the curvature of the legelements is such as to enable the leg elements of the two frame membersto move relatively to one another into substantially the same plane. Aswill be described more fully hereinafter, the leg elements are so bentthat upon folding the chair, they act as camming surfaces relative tothe stops between which they move, camming into a common plane.

Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, theleg elements of one of the frame members include leading portions whichare pivotally secured to the trailing portions of such elements topermit folding the leading portions into juxtaposition with the trailingportions after collapsing the chair, to thereby doubly fold the chairinto a compact collapsed assembly. In order to effect such doublefolding, the leading portions of the aforesaid frame member are pivotedabout an axis about which the base linkage also folds; in this mannerboth the leading portions of the leg elements and the base linkage canpivot simultaneously about the same axis to effect the double fold.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of this invention,reference is made to the following detailed description of specificembodiments of the foldable rocking chair construction of the invention,taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an upright or garden chair embodyingthe invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the upright chair embodiment shown inFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a rear elevation of a portion of the chair shown in FIGURE2, viewed in the direction of line 33' in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevation of the upright chair after it has beenfolded by moving the supporting frames thereof into substantiallyco-planar relation;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4, showing the upright chair in itsfolded position after the leading portions of the leg elements of one ofthe chair supporting frame members have been doubly folded to produce acompact folded assembly;

FIGURES 5A, 5B and 5C are partial side elevations of the upright chair,showing the successive stages of doubly folding the same from theassembly illustrated in FIGURE 4 to that shown in FIGURE 5, with thelocking mechanism between the leading and trailing portions of thedoubly foldable frame member, the fabric elements, and the head rest,deleted for clarity;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation viewed in the direction of line 66 inFIGURE 4, showing a pivotal arm rest for the upright chair in its foldedor collapsed position parallel to the chair supporting frame members;

FIGURE 7 is an end view taken in the direction of line 7-7 in FIGURE 5,showing one of the chair stop members which additionally serves as alatch for holding the leading and trailing portions of one of the chairframe members in their extended position;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the inventionin a chaise longue;

FIGURE 9 is a schematic side elevation illustrating the forward andrearwardlirnits of the rocking motion of the chaise longue of FIGURE 8,as well as a central intermediate rocking position thereof.

Turning to FIGURES l to 7 of the drawings, an upright chair embodyingthe invention is shown, which comprises a seat frame supported by a pairof supporting frame members, the seat frame supporting, in turn, aflexible fabric seat. The chair, indicated generally at 10, includes apair of generally rectilinearly shaped frame members ,11 and 12,-member11 having a U-shaped cross-section and including parallel leg elements13 and a connecting base element 14 contacting a supporting surface 15for the chair across substantially its entire length, and member 12having a rectangmlar cross-section and including parallel leg elements16 connected by a base element 17 and a top element 18. In theiroperative positions, leg elements 13 and 16 of the frame members 11 and12 lie in intersecting planes defining a supporting X-frame for thechair and the base elements 14 and 17, which connect the leg elements ofeach frame member, are disposed in substantially parallel relationsupponting the weight of the chair upon the supporting surface 15.

A foldable bracing member or base linkage 20 is pivotally connected tothe base elements 14 and 17, respectively, at pivots 19 and 21 (SeeFIGURE 2). In the embodiment shown, the base linkage 213 includes afirst link 22 having its outer end pivoted to base element 14 and asecond link 23 having its outer endpivoted to base element 17; the twolinks are preferably each constituted of splayed hairpin form wires. Thelinks 22 and 23 are pivoted intermediatetheir ends by a hinge 24. Asbest shown in FIGURE 2, the hinge 24 includes a pentroof 25 havingapproximately a 30 angle and a channel hinge pin containing member 26.This hinge construction permits folding of the links 22 and 23 in onedirection (upwardly of the position illustrated in FIGURE 2) but not inthe opposite direction. Hence the base linkage, which is held undertension when the chair is disposed in operating position, folds in onedirection to collapse the chair without jack-knifing.

It will be understood the tabular hinge 24 holding wire links 22 and 23may, if desired, provide for relative lateral displacement of the wirelinks therein to accommodate manufacturing tolerances of the individualelements.

A generally U-shaped seat frame 27 is pivotally connected to the legelements 13 and 16 of the respective frame members, defining an upperlinkage connecting such members above the intersection of the planes.defined by the leg elements in the operating position of the chair.

The supporting X frame thereby provided rocks about pivots 1 and 21between the base linkage 20 and the base elements 14 and 17 of therespective frame members 11 and 12. By thus pivoting the leg elementsjust above the supporting surface 15, rocking of the chair does notproduce substantial leverage tending to produce walking or to dig thechair leg elements into the ground.

A fabric is sewn to or otherwise late-rally secured to the frame member27, defining a seat portion 23 of the chair; similarly a fabric islaterally secured to the leg elements 16 of the frame member 12 betweentheir pivotal connection with the seat frame -27 and up to and coveringthe top element 18 thereof, which fabric defines a back portion 29 ofthe chair. A supporting bar 30 is connected laterally of the seat frame27 to provide additional support for the seat portion 28 of the chair.

It is frequently preferable to form the front rocking pivots between theseat frame 27 and the supporting frame member 11 by the extremities ofthe supporting cross bar 34 in such cases, in place of a fixed member,the bar 3% is pivotally connected to the seat frame and the upper endsof the leg elements 13, is bowed to provide clearance for the thighs ofthe user and is swingable upon folding of the chair to facilitate flatstowage. Such an alternative linkage may be supported solely by thelateral compression created by the seat frame 27 and the supportingframe member 11, and provides a distinct saving in the cost of the chairIt). When positioned for use as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 of thedrawings, the users weight pressing again-st. the seat portion 28 andthe back portion 29 places the leg elements 13 and 16 of the pivotallyconnected frame members under divergent forces, thereby placing the baselinkage 20 under tension and maintaining the chair in secure stableposition.

Stop members are provided for limiting the rocking motiOn of the chairabout the pivots 19 and 21, including a pair of front stop pins 31 and arear stop strut 32, the former pivotally attached to the leg elements 16of the frame member 12, as described hereinafter, and the strut 32fixedly secured between the leg elements 16 of the frame member 12. Itwillbe understood that in place of employing a continuous strut 32 as astop member, separate stop pins may be mounted on the respective legelements 16 of frame member 12, if desired The stop members may also beprovided by means of sleeves mounted on the leg elements of one of theframemernbers, as disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No.71,227, now abandoned, instead of the configuration shown; however, forthe reasons described hereinafter, it is preferred to employ a pivotallymounted stop pin 31 and a strut 32 as shown herein.

The stops 31 and 32 determine the limit of the pivotable are throughwhich the chair may rock in its operable position. When the chair isrocked forward to the limit of its rocking motion the leg elements 13 offrame member 11 engage the stop pins 31, thereby preventing furtherrocking motion. When the chair is rocked backwards the leg elements 13engage the stop strut 32 at the limit of the rocking arc, therebypreventing further movement backward and insuring the safety of the userof the foldable rocker.

When it is desired to fold the chair shown in FIGURES 1 to 7 fortransport and storage thereof, the forward end of the seat frame 27 andthe top element 18 of the frame member 12 are merely grasped and pulledtoward one another, making the frame members 11 and 12 move toward oneanother. of frame member 11 engage the top strut 32. In accordance withthis invention, the leg elements 13 are preferably bent or offset at 33,as are the leg elements 16 at 34, whereby to facilitate folding of theleg elements relative to the stationary stop strut 32. Hence when theleg elements 13 engage the stop strut 32 they are cammed by the curvedsurface 33 into substantially the same plane as the leg element 16 (seeFIGURE 4).

While, by offsetting the stop pins from the axis of the As the chair isfolded the leg elements 13 respective leg elements, it is possible toutilize straight leg elements, it is preferred to employ curved or bentleg elements described above to thereby provide a relatively compactfolded structure while maintaining the pleasing aesthetic appearance ofthe operative chair.

Preferably, as shown in the drawings, the leg elements 16 of framemember 12 include leading portions 35 pivotally connected to trailingportions as thereof. The leading and trailing portions of the legelements 16 are held in their extended position by latch members 37which are normally engaged by the stop pins 31, maintaining the chair inits operative position.

When the chair is folded, with the frame members 11 and 12 disposed insubstantially the same plane, the leading portions 35 of frame member 12are disposed in the position shown in FIGURE 4. When it is then decidedto produce a more compact assembly, the leading portions 35 are doublyfolded, i.e. the pivoted stop pins 31 are pivoted from the positionshown in FIGURES 4 and 7 into a position parallel with the trailingportions 36, as shown in FIGURE 5, thereby permitting pivoting of theleading portions 35 relative to the trailing portions 36 into juxtaposedrelation (FIGURE 5).

In order to facilitate double folding of the chair assembly, the link 23of the base linkage 2% is simultaneously mounted for pivotal movementwith respect to the hinge 24.

The leading portions 35 of the leg elements of frame member 12 pivotabout an axis aligned with the stop-strut 32 and the inner end of thelink 23 simultaneously pivots about an axis which is parallel andadjacent to such axis, thereby rotating the hinge 24 from the positionshown in FIGURE 5A to that in FIGURE 58 and finally to that illustratedin FIGURE SC, in which the leading portions of the leg elements of framemember 12 are positioned in abutment with the trailing portions thereofand in which the chair is doubly folded into the compact fully collapsedassembly illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 5C.

The chair shown in FIGURES 1 to 7 is provided with a pair of collapsiblearm-rests 38 which are secured to the leg elements 16 of frame member 12above their pivotal connection with seat frame 27, as by links 39 pinnedto the leg elements. In its extended operative position each arm-rest 38engages a stop pin 41 (FIGURE 2) integral with the adjacent leg element16 and is cantilevered outwardly, substantially parallel to the seatportion 28 of the chair 10. When it is desired to fold the chair thearm-rests are pivoted outwardly to disengage them from pins 41 and arethereafter pivoted downwardly as indicated by the arrow 4% in FIGURE 2,into the position shown in FIGURE 6, wherein the armrest 38 is disposedsubstantially parallel and in abutting relation with the correspondingleg element 16 to provide a compact folded assembly.

The upright chair 10 is further provided with a headrest 42 which may beremovably secured to the chair if desired. As shown in FIGURES 1 to 3,the head-rest 42 comprises a U-shaped wire frame supporting a tensionedfabric, which frame terminates in wire loops 43 having outwardlydirected wire elements 44. Elements 44 are received in fixed brackets 45(FIGURE 3) suitably secured as by rivets at opposite ends of the topelement 18 of the frame member 12. The end elements 44 of the head-restare simply removed from the brackets 45 and from the chair 10 bypressing the ends of the wire frame together.

When it is desired to employ the head-rest it is connected to the chairas described above and placed in the position shown in the drawings, inwhich the loop elements 43 of the head-rest frame engage the back of thetop element 18 of frame member 12, mounting the headrest 42 in positionto support the users head. "Vhen it is desired to fold the uprightchair, the head-rest is pivoted counterclockwise, viewing FIGURE 2, intothe position shown in broken line at 42 in the drawing, in

which the wire loops 43 are received over the top element 1% of theframe member and the head-rest 42 is disposed substantially parallel andin abutting relation with the back portion 29 of the chair. Hence theheadrest is readily folded into the folded chair assembly.

It will be understood that, if desired, a sun-shade may be connected tothe top of the head-rest 42, employing a supporting structure such asthat used to support the head-rest 42.

One preferred embodiment of the upright chair 10 shown in FIGURES 1 to 7of the drawings has the following dimensions:

Inches Length of seat frame 27 between pivotal connections with framemembers 11 and 12 (l316) 15 Length of leg elements 16 from pivotalconnections with seat frame 2'7 to pivots 21 18% Length of leg elements13 from pivotal connections with seat frame 27 to pivots 19 25 Length offrame member 12 and head-rest 42 from top of head-rest to pivots 21 34/2 Length of base linkage 2% between pivots 19 and Upon folding theupright chair having the dimensions disclosed above, a folded chairassembly having a length of 26 inches, a width of 20 /2 inches and athickness of only about 2 /2 inches is provided.

The deck chair or chaise longue 5i embodying the present invention isshown in FIGURES 8 and 9 of the drawings. While, as noted above, theupright chair 10 contains a seat portion 23 and a back portion 29secured at their lateral edges to the seat frame 27 and the frame member12, respectively, the chaise longue 50 includes a single flexible sheet51 supported by the frame member 12 at its upper end, by a laterallyextending fabric support 61 intermediate its ends and by the framemember 11 at its lower end, the weight of the user of the chaise placingthe sheet in tension.

M upper cross bar or tube 52 of the frame member 12 is provided with aconcave depression 53 (FIGURE 8) extending rearwardly of the framemember. Desirably, the cross tube 52 possesses a flattened ellipticalcross section, in order that if the tension on sheet 51 permits contactof the users head with the tube 52, localized high pressures are notcreated, as would be created were the cross tube constituted of a roundcross-section tube. By providing a depression or recess in the crosstube 52, the users head is cupped by the sheet 51 over an areacorresponding to the depression, thereby facilitating linear contact ofthe users head with about 5 inches or more of the sheet surface.Moreover, this configuration of the cross tube 52 permits the users headto fall back to a position about 2 inches behind his shoulder line, thuscreating a more comfortable support than were a uniformbly tensioned andsupported back-rest provided.

The frame member 11 is pivotally connected to the frame member 12 bymeans of arm-rests 54, which may also include clamps 55 for engaging theleg elements of the frame members in folded relation to produce aselfsupporting folded assembly. Frame member 11 is provided with anupper cross tube 56 having a pair of downwardly extending concavedepressions or recesses 57 formed therein, approximately conforming tothe crosssectional shape of the under part of the users thighs. Thedepressions in the cross tube 56 are provided by forming such tube witha protuberance in the center thereof; preferably the cross tube 56 iscovered with a suitable elastomeric padding, such as a polyurethanefoam, to further cushion the thighs of the user.

The cushioning of the users thighs is further enhanced by reducing thelinear length of the sheet 51 at its outer selvage edges and adjacentthe central protuberance of the cross tube 56. In this manner greaterslack is '3 left in the sheet 51 in the areas aligned with thedepressions 57 in cross tube 56.

The sheet 51 .is secured to the cross tubes 52 and 56 described above bysheet gripper plates 52 and 56, respectively. The gripper plates securethe sheet 51 at the upper surfaces of the cross tubes, therebyeliminating the 4 or 5 inch negative support area adjacent such tubes aswould exist were the sheet looped around the cross tubes. to createeffective forces at the tube center lines rather than at their uppersurfaces.

Preferably, a u-shaped foot-rest frame 58 is pivoted at 59 to the framemember 11 at a point adjacent the cross tube 56. The foot-rest frame ispivoted over cross tube 56 whereby to engage and lock with the same inits extended position and thereby support the feet of the user. When itis desired to fold the chaise longue 59, the foot-rest frame 58 ispivoted clockwise, viewing FIGURE 8, substantially into the plane of theframe member 11 for folding of the chaise assembly.

If desired, wedge shaped members may be provided associated with thepivotal connection between the footrest frame 58 and the frame member 11to vary the angle of the foot-rest with respect to the main framecomprised of frame members 11 and 12 of the chaise, and thereby increasethe contour chair effect produced thereby.

As shown in FIGURE 8, the foot-rest includes a foot supporting fabric 61connected laterally across the frame 58, upon which the feet may restwithout effort, and a foot-rest member 62, to accommodate shorter limbedindividuals.

The rocking arc of the chaise longue 50 is determined by rearward stoppins 63, which define the limit of the rearward rocking movement of thechaise, and forward stops 64 defined by the wedge shaped upper surfacesof a V-brace 65 secured to the base element 17 and leg elements 16 ofthe frame member 12. Use of the V- shaped brace 65 to provide theforward stop 64 not only limits the rocking motion of the chaise longuebut additionally serves to secure the folded chair against movementofthe individual elements thereof.

FIGURE 9 illustrates the rocking motion of the chaise longue 50 relativeto the stop members 63 and 64. As shown in full line in FIGURE 9 at A-B,the chaise is disposed with the frame members 11 and 12 intermediate thestops 63 and 64, freely rockabletherebetween. As shown in broken line atA when rocked to the rear the frame member 11' engages stop pins 63preventing further rocking motion of the chaise. As shown in dotted lineat A"-B", when the chaise is rocked forward it reaches a limitingposition at which the frame 12" engages the front stop members 64,preventing further forward movement of the chaise longue.

One preferred embodiment of the chaise longue 50 shown in FIGURES 8 and9 has the following dimensions:

Inches Length of arm-rests 54 between pivotal connections 13' and 16' 19Length of leg elements 16 between pivotal connections 16' and pivots 2122 Length of leg elements 13 between pivotal connections 13' and pivots19 27 /8 Length of frame member 12 from cross tube 52 to pivots 21 47Length of frame member 11 from cross tube 56 to'pivots 19 31 Length ofbase linkage 18 between pivots 19 and Upon folding this chaise,utilizing the double fold shown in FIGURE 5, a compact assembly having alength of 32 inches, a width of 24 inches and a thickness of only about3 inches is provided.

In accordance with the present invention, a foldable rocking chair isthus provided which provides smooth rocking action, does not walk or diginto the ground or other supporting surface upon rocking, and which maybe readily folded into a compact assembly for transport or storage.Since certain changes may be made in the rocking chair of this inventionwithout departing from the scope thereof it is intended that all mattercontained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingsshall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A chair comprising:

(a) a pair of generally rectilinearly shaped frame members defining, intheir operative positions, a supporting X-frame for the chair,

( 1) the first of said frame members extending downwardly and rearwardlyand including spaced parallel leg elements;

(2) the second of said frame members extending upwardly and rearwardlyand including spaced parallel leg elements which elements have leadingand trailing portions pivotally mounted with respect to one another;

(3) front and rear stop members mounted transversely of and connected tosaid second frame member, said front stop member extending below and infront of the intersection defined by the respective frame members intheir operative positions and said rear stop member extending above andto the rear of the intersection defined by the frame members in theiroperative positions; and

(4-) Spaced parallel base elements connecting the leg elements of therespective frame members at the feet thereof, said base elementscontacting the supporting surface for the chair across substantiallytheir entire lengths;

(b) a foldable base linkage pivotally connected to the respective baseelements of the pair of frame members and including a pair of linkspivoted at their outer ends to the respective base elements andpivotally secured to one another at their inner ends, the leadingportions of the leg elements of said second frame member and the innerends of the links of said base linkage pivoting about adjacent andparallel axes, after folding the chair as set forth hereinafter, to foldsaid leading portions into juxtaposed relation with the trailingportions pivoted thereto; and

(c) an upper linkage connected to the leg elements of said frame membersabove the intersection defined by the frame members in their operativepositions;

said chair being folded by drawing the upper portions of the pair offrame members toward one another, the rear stop member connected to thesecond frame member bearing against the leg elements of the first framemember and being guided thereby to fold the first and second framemembers in juxtaposed, nested relation, the leading portions of the legelements of said frame member being thereafter pivoted relative to thetrailing portions thereof to doubly fold the chair into a compact,collapsed assembly.

2. The chair as set forth in claim 1, including a pair of collapsiblearm rests connected to the spaced parallel leg elements of said secondframe member above the points at which the upper linkage is connected tosaid elements, each of said arm rests being mounted by (1) a linkpivotally secured to the adjacent leg element of the second framemember; and

(2) a stop mounted on the leg element for engaging a mating end of thearm rest in the operative position thereof,

the link connecting the arm rest to the adjacent leg element providingfor movement of the arm rest to clear said stop, thereby permitting thearm rest to be folded length wise of and in abutting relation with theleg element.

9 3. The chair as set forth in claim 1, in which said upper linkageconstitutes a seat frame covered by a flexible material defining a seatportion of the chair, and in which a further flexible material engagesthe upper portion of said second frame member to define an independentback supporting portion of said chair.

4. The chair as set forth in claim 1, in which (a) said first framemember includes a laterally extending cross tube connecting the legelements thereof adjacent their upper ends, said upper cross tubedefining a pair of intermediate spaced concavities and supporting anelastomeric material conforming to the contour of said cross-tube forsupporting the thighs of the user;

(b) said second frame member includes a laterally extending second crosstube connecting the leg elements thereof adjacent their upper ends, saidsecond cross tube defining a centrally disposed concavity contoured forsupporting the head and shoulders of the user; and

(c) a supporting fabric is secured to and extends between said crosstubes to provide a unitary sheet support for both the seat and backportions of the user.

5. An upright chair comprising:

(a) a pair of generally rectilinearly shaped frame members defining, intheir operative positions, a supporting X-frame for the chair,

(1) the first of said frame members extending downwardly and rearwardlyand including spaced parallel leg elements;

(2) the second of said frame members extending upwardly and rearwardlyand including spaced parallel leg elements;

(3) front and rear stop members mounted transversely of and connected tosaid second frame member, said front stop member extending below and infront of the intersection defined by the respective frame members intheir operative positions and said rear stop member extending above andto the rear of the intersection defined by the frame members in theiroperative positions; and

(4) spaced parallel base elements connecting the leg elements of therespective frame members at the feet thereof, said base elementscontacting the supporting surface for the chair across subtantiallytheir entire lengths;

(b) a foldable base linkage pivotally connected to the respective baseelements of the pair of frame members, said frame members independentlyrocking about the pivotal connection between the base linkage and therespective base elements;

() a seat frame pivotally secured to the leg elements of the respectiveframe members above the intersection defined thereby in their operativepositions;

(d) a flexible material engaging said seat frame to define a seatportion of the chair;

(e) a flexible material engaging the upper portion of the second framemember to define a back supporting portion of the chair; and

(f) a pair of collapsible arm rests connected to the spaced parallel legelements of the second frame member above the points at which saidelements are connected to said seat frame, each of said arm rests beingpivotally mounted by (1) a link connected to the adjacent leg element ofsaid second frame member; and (2) a stop mounted on the leg element forengaging a mating end of the arm rest in the operative position thereof,tie link connecting the arm rest to the adjacent leg element providingfor movement of the arm rest to clear the stop therefor, therebypermitting the arm rest to be folded lengthwise of and in abuttingrelation to the leg element; the chair being folded by folding said armrests into abutment with the leg elements or" said second frame member,and drawing the upper portions of the pair of frame members toward oneanother, the rear stop member connected to the second frame memberbearing against the leg elements of the first frame member and beingguided thereby to fold the pair of frame members in juxtaposed, nestedrelation.

6. The upright chair as set forth in claim 5, in which (a) the spacedparallel leg elements of said second frame member are constituted ofleading and trailing portions pivotally mounted with respect to oneanother,

(b) said foldable base linkage includes a pair of links pivoted at theirouter ends to the respective base elements of the first and second framemembers and pivotally secured to one another at their inner ends, theleading portions of the leg elements of said second frame member and theinner end of the link of said base linkage connected to said secondframe member pivoting about adjacent and parallel axes, after foldingthe chair, to fold said leading portions, into juxtaposed relation withthe trailing portions pivoted thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,039,078 Arnold Sept. 24, 1912 1,694,933 Walker et a1 Dec. 11, 19282,046,644 Martin July 7, 1936 2,048,147 Staley July 21, 1936 2,096,169Friesner Oct. 19, 1937 2,285,925 Handy June 9, 1942 2,482,306 WaldheimSept. 20, 1949 2,675,059 Martin Apr. 13, 1954 2,704,569 Salzer Mar. 22,1955 3,011,826 Bowring Dec. 5, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 25,818 France Feb.13, 1923 126,733 Austria Feb. 10, 1932 824,377 France Nov. 10, 1937677,907 Great Britain Aug. 27, 1952 67,943 France Oct. 14, 19571,193,133 France Apr. 27, 1959 1,216,459 France Nov. 30, 1959

1. A CHAIR COMPRISING: (A) A PAIR OF GENERALLY RECTILINEARLY SHAPEDFRAME MEMBERS DEFINING, IN THEIR OPERATIVE POSITIONS, A SUPPORTINGX-FRAME FOR THE CHAIR, (1) THE FIRST OF SAID FRAME MEMBERS EXTENDINGDOWNWARDLY AND REARWARDLY AND INCLUDING SPACED PARALLEL LEG ELEMENTS;(2) THE SECOND OF SAID FRAME MEMBERS EXTENDING UPWARDLY AND REARWARDLYAND INCLUDING SPACED PARALLEL LEG ELEMENTS WHICH ELEMENTS HAVE LEADINGAND TRAILING PORTIONS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED WITH RESPECT TO ONE ANOTHER; (3)FRONT AND REAR STOP MEMBERS MOUNTED TRANSVERSELY OF AND CONNECTED TOSAID SECOND FRAME MEMBER, SAID FRONT STOP MEMBER EXTENDING BELOW AND INFRONT OF THE INTERSECTION DEFINED BY THE RESPECTIVE FRAME MEMBERS INTHEIR OPERATIVE POSITIONS AND SAID REAR STOP MEMBER EXTENDING ABOVE ANDTO THE REAR OF THE INTERSECTION DEFINED BY THE FRAME MEMBERS IN THEIROPERATIVE POSITIONS; AND (4) SPACED PARALLEL BASE ELEMENTS CONNECTINGTHE LEG ELEMENTS OF THE RESPECTIVE FRAME MEMBERS AT THE FEET THEREOF,SAID BASE ELEMENTS CONTACTING THE SUPPORTING SURFACE FOR THE CHAIRACROSS SUBSTANTIALLY THEIR ENTIRE LENGTHS; (B) A FOLDABLE BASE LINKAGEPIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE RESPECTIVE BASE ELEMENTS OF THE PAIR OF FRAMEMEMBERS AND INCLUDING A PAIR OF LINKS PIVOTED AT THEIR OUTER ENDS TO THERESPECTIVE BASE ELEMENTS AND PIVOTALLY SECURED TO ONE ANOTHER AT THEIRINNER ENDS, THE LEADING PORTIONS OF THE LEG ELEMENTS OF SAID SECONDFRAME MEMBER AND THE INNER ENDS OF THE LINKS OF SAID BASE LINKAGEPIVOTING ABOUT ADJACENT AND PARALLEL AXES, AFTER FOLDING THE CHAIR ASSET FORTH HEREINAFTER, TO FOLD SAID LEADING PORTIONS INTO JUXTAPOSEDRELATION WITH THE TRAILING PORTIONS PIVOTED THERETO; AND (C) AN UPPERLINKAGE CONNECTED TO THE LEG ELEMENTS OF SAID FRAME MEMBERS ABOVE THEINTERSECTION DEFINED BY THE FRAME MEMBERS IN THEIR OPERATIVE POSITIONS;SAID CHAIR BEING FOLDED BY DRAWING THE UPPER PORTIONS OF THE PAIR OFFRAME MEMBERS TOWARD ONE ANOTHER, THE REAR STOP MEMBER CONNECTED TO THESECOND FRAME MEMBER BEARING AGAINST THE LEG ELEMENTS OF THE FIRST FRAMEMEMBER AND BEING GUIDED THEREBY TO FOLD THE FIRST AND SECOND FRAMEMEMBERS IN JUXTAPOSED, NESTED RELATION, THE LEADING PORTIONS OF THE LEGELEMENTS OF SAID FRAME MEMBER BEING THEREAFTER PIVOTED RELATIVE TO THETRAILING PORTIONS THEREOF TO DOUBLY FOLD THE CHAIR INTO A COMPACT,COLLAPSED ASSEMBLY.